Brook Lopez
Arguably the biggest improvement for the Lakers this season over last will come in the middle. Brook Lopez will presumably take over the starting center spot for the Lakers with Timofey Mozgov traded to Brooklyn. Lopez, one of the most consistent players in the NBA, comes in ranked No. 51 on ESPN’s top-100.
Lopez changed his whole game last season. He has developed into a reliable three-point shooter. Last season, he made 34.6 percent of his three-point attempts, making 134 total after making only three the previous eight seasons in his career. That ability to space the floor is something the Lakers can really use to help open up the court for Brandon Ingram and Julius Randle to operate.
Lopez isn’t the greatest rebounder, but his offensive arsenal is rivaled by very few big men in the NBA. He will also give them a good rim protector and someone for the young big men to lean on and learn from.
Here is what ESPN Stats & Info had to say about Lopez.
"Out of nowhere, Lopez morphed into the NBA’s best stretch-5 last season as he led all starting centers in made 3-pointers while launching more than six per game. Yet another notch in his belt as one of the league’s best offensive centers, that development also overshadowed his work on the defensive end where he doesn’t get near the credit he deserves. Though he doesn’t have the quickest feet and switching will never be a calling card, Lopez quietly held opponents to 47 percent shooting at the rim, which was better than noted defensive stalwarts Marc Gasol and Hassan Whiteside."
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The Lakers are getting an underrated rim protector and an excellent offensive player. Spending so many seasons with the New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets have Lopez flying under the radar. That is fine with him, as he just goes about his business on the court. He was a great addition for a Lakers team looking to take a step forward this season.